The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared an Insurance Catastrophe for the strong winds and damaging hail that affected South East Queensland between Sunday, November 23, and Monday, November 24, with the firm noting that insurers have already received more than 16,000 claims.Under the ICA’s catastrophe declaration, which currently covers claims across more than 140 postcodes and will be referred to as CAT 255, insurers will prioritise claims from affected policyholders and triage them to ensure urgent support is provided to the worst-impacted property owners.Moreover, it has also been confirmed that ICA representatives will be assigned to work with local agencies, services and affected residents, while insurers will mobilise disaster-response specialists to assist with claims and assessments.The ICA also noted that an industry task force has been established to identify and address issues that arise from this event.

ICA Deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane, said: “Insurers’ first priority is community safety, and so we strongly encourage all those impacted by these severe storms to ensure they do not undertake any activity themselves that may put their safety at risk.“While it’s too early to estimate the insurance damage bill, we expect to see claims numbers continue to rise over the coming days as power returns to homes.Our advice to impacted policyholders is to lodge a claim as soon as you can, even if you don’t yet know the full extent of the damage.

Lodging a claim via insurers’ online portals is generally a quicker and easier way to get the claims process started.” Adding: “This event comes off the back of recent widespread rainfall and storm activity across similarly impacted regions, and insurers are focused on processing claims from these events as quickly as possible.With more rain predicted over the coming days, we’re also urging residents of Queensland’s southeast corner to remain vigilant and follow the advice of emergency services.” According to Australian publication Nine.com.au, almost 75,000 homes and businesses remain without power due to impacts from the storm.More than 45,000 of these are reportedly within the Moreton Bay region which includes Bribie Island where some of the worst damage from the event was inflicted, while another 14,000 are on the Sunshine Coast.

According to Australian primary insurance giant Suncorp Group, the areas most impacted by the event include Beenleigh, Shailer Park, Manly West, Cornubia, Capalaba, Loganholme, Keperra, Wynnum, Birkdale, and Alexandra Hills.The firm also revealed that it has received more than 6,890 claims across south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales, comprising over 3,060 home claims and 3,700 motor claims.Andrew Bufalino, Severe Weather Meteorologist at Suncorp, commented:  “The largest hailstones and most substantial impacts occurred along a corridor from Logan Village through Burbank and Manly, where highly dense and spherical hailstones between eight and 13 centimetres were observed.” Bufalino continued: “While giant hailstones were the defining hazard of this event, damaging wind gusts were also recorded.

Gladstone observed a wind gust to 120 kilometres per hour, while Brisbane Airport recorded a wind gust to 107 kilometres per hour, with many locations reporting toppled trees and powerlines.” Suncorp Acting Executive General Manager Home Claims Customers Cath Stewart, said: “Our team are working hard to respond to every customer as quickly as possible.We understand how stressful this time is for everyone affected, and we appreciate your patience and understanding while we work through the high number of claims received in such a short period.” Adding: “It is important for households and businesses affected by the recent weather to be cautious of individuals or companies offering clean-up or debris removal services, roof inspections and repairs, or if they are asking to sign a contract to manage the claim.These businesses typically charge fees, which can lead to additional costs.”.

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